Tony Pickup says " Only two of my contemporaries there - Nigel Harrison and Chris Hodges - so must be after '57. I suspect early to mid-60's, because Chris &Nigel look quite a lot older that I remember them."'

Monday, 26 August 2019

Former old Purley Boy Gordon Pirie was the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Here is a video of him.GORDON PIRIE VIDEO"In 1955 Pirie won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. During that year he had beaten Emil Zátopek the triple gold medallist in distance running at the 1952 Olympics.[1] Pirie was an exceptional cross-country runner, winning the English Championship three times Pirie broke five world records in the course of his career, his annus mirabilis being 1956, when on 19 June in Bergen, Norway, he ran 13:36.8 for 5,000 m, beating Vladimir Kuts (USSR), and knocking 25 seconds from his own personal best. On 22 June in Trondheim, Norway, he beat the world 3000 metres record with 7:55.5, and on 14 September, in Malmö, Sweden, he set a new record with 7:52.7." Haven't been able to find any photos of him out running George Nicholson over Farthing Downs - anyone got a photo of him at school ? Get in touch via the comments box below.John Hanson writes "I knew Gordon Pirie fairly well (born Gordon Douglas Alastair Pirie) In early days he was known as "Doug". He was 1 yr. ahead of me at school. There were 3 "Pirie's" at school, all of them on the cross country trophy - Ian, the oldest, Peter the next and Gordon the youngest. In their time P and G "collected" the high jump honours on Sport's day. I knew that Peter always beat Gordon in any running event. I won't bore you, but I had reason to talk to Peter on the phone (lives in Toronto).

In conversation I remarked that I thought that he always beat Gordon at school; his response was "and afterwards!"

Mr Sister was at school with Pam Pirie (The Girl's School) They all lived at the bottom of Chaldon Way. Father was Alick Pirie, former Scottish International. I often saw him running about Old Coulsdon. Finally Gordon once helped me with my Applied Maths homework and showed me how to throw the Discus!"

Thursday, 1 August 2019

"We held our reunion (pt 2) yesterday at the Zedel in Central London. I am attaching a photo which I hope you can access. Seven of us this time - left to right in the photo, Neville Crofts, George Rattray, Peter Dewey, Myself, Mike Finnis (who was unable to attend the previous reunion), Terry Smith and Philip Odell. By a strange coincidence, four of us - Pete, Mike, Philip and I - also attended the Paris trip in 1965 with GP and AP and there is a b & w photo on Fas et Patria (Ed's note- see below) of us in full school uniform looking extremely bored (which we were) in the heat at Fontainebleau. Perhaps it might be possible to publish this as well as my photo from 54 years later. The London underground reminded me of Fontainebleau!

The big 7-0 next, will it be the Zedel Pt 3? "In the 1968 photo ( bottom ) L to R Dave Franks (standing), Pete Dewey, Adrian Fothergill (fair hair), me, Miles Chapman, Philip Odell and Mike Finnis. Those also in the 2019 photo at the Zedel are Pete, Philip, Mike and myself. Not bad going after a gap of 54 years!

Tuesday, 30 July 2019

Beyond the parade on the right is the top of Placehouse Lane, where the 190 bus terminated outside the Tudor Rose pub. Crews used to take their breaks in the Old Tudor Cafe, seen here.

During term time lunch breaks, this parade would also be frequented by boys from the former Purley Grammar School, next door to the Tudor Rose.The school has now been replaced by Coulsdon College.As a former pupil, I fondly remember the Tudor Bakery here !NB - Geoff Todd writes

Latest addition of the Tudor Parade shops brought back memories.

I left PCGS in 1955. Every lunchtime the area was thronged with lads going to the recreation ground behind the War Memorial opposite Tudor Parade to play football. Soccer and footballs had been banned within the school grounds. No problem for us lads - Gordon Pirie's mother, who lived opposite the gates, allowed us to leave it in her shed. Gordon, who ran with South London Harriers, had been encouraged by Mr. Baldwin a SLH member. "Baldy" (he actually had a very full head of hair) took us cross country running, which I enjoyed. He taught me German and the 6th for Russian. I still remember the words of songs in German he taught us. Dei Lorelei among them.

As stated the bakers was very popular, especially when school finished and prices were reduced. I also remember the morning milk break when rock cakes were sold to pay for the cricket pavilion. Great consternation when the price increased from a penny to one and a half pence!

As we know, Steve Taylor and Rob Lane are sadly no longer with us. Geoff Pickerill was at the 2007 reunion. I still exchange the occasional email with Steve Gilfedder who returned to Australia after PGS and now lives in Melbourne. I know Mark is still around"